First interest

It was a chance meeting of a friend who placed in my hand information of how to apply for the Women’s Shadow Councillor Scheme. Her words were, 'Judith I think you may be interested in this'. Though I was interested, the question was, could I really put myself forward for my community? The scheme answered all my true aspirations and rather than thinking too deeply about what I should do, I acted straight away. I completed the application and as I posted it I remembered my thoughts at the time, ‘it is done’.

A couple of weeks came and passed without a word. Then an email from Operation Black Vote (OBV) invited me for an interview in Leicester. The interview went well, but though I had a positive feeling about how it turned out, I was still concerned that I may not be chosen.

The postal strike was a problem at the time, so checking my email became a daily routine, until the day I received the email I was waiting for. Yes, I was chosen for the shadow scheme, and yes, I would begin a journey that would take me to places I have never experienced before. I thank God! The launch was in London on the 22nd October 2009 first at Central Hall Westminster, then at the House of Commons. It was a day to remember.

Remembering the beginning

I remembered the awesome day as I travelled home on the train. Just to be one of the 50 Black and other ethnic minority (BAME) Women Shadow Councillor Scheme was a very proud moment for us all, and was shared by other MP's and Councillors. We were welcomed by Francine Fernandes, Head of Shadowing Scheme Operation Black Vote (OBV), and then took in inspirational speakers from other Councillors. Rt Hon Harriet Harman and Diane Abbotts MP were two of a few guest speakers at the House of Commons, all of which gave me a realistic insight of my journey ahead.